Snr Budget Advisor

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the IOM-FOM issued for this Compendium / Fast Track exercise, as well as the  Revised Policy and Procedures on Assignments (UNHCR/HCP/2015/2 refers). Senior Budget Advisor

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Senior Budget Advisor reports to the Deputy Director and Head of Programme Budget Service (PBS).  The incumbent heads the Global Analysis and Reporting Unit of PBS and supervises 6 staff (4 Professional and 2 General Service). The incumbent liaises within DFAM, with other Divisions, Bureaux and throughout the Organization with other stakeholders on improvement of budget management processes and global reporting issues, including on related systems development and maintenance.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Stakeholders, especially financial information users such as the Budget Committee, senior management and governing bodies receive timely and accurate budgetary analysis and strategic information.
- UNHCR¿s budget provides a comprehensive and consolidated picture of the Organization¿s operational, staffing and administrative requirements, in line with budget policies, financial rules and regulations, overall strategic priorities, and reflecting the needs of people of concern.
- UNHCR¿s budget service has the tools available to ensure financial resources are allocated effectively and transparently through robust budget analysis and monitoring to meet the Organization¿s global strategic priorities.
- Financial information users at HQ and in the field are provided with technical support on budgetary matters.

Responsibility
- Pursue strong financial data integration between UNCHR¿s applications to ensure information exchange, production of information products as well as distribution and use of such information products.
- Ensure the integration of UNHCR¿s results-based management tools (Focus) and Enterprise Resource Planning tools (MSRP) so that they are completely functional and aligned.
- Liaise UNHCR¿s Divisions, Bureaux, and services, among other stakeholders, to ensure coordination and provision of financial information, especially with DRRM.
- Liaise with UNHCR¿s Service Divisions to ensure coherent and robust management of master data to ensure financial and finance-related data collection, processing, and analysis.
- Design and implement tools to perform quantitative and qualitative budget analysis to identify and track budgetary trends and variances that incorporate RBM performance indicators, to be presented in comprehensive reports for senior management on a regular and ad hoc basis.
- Ensure the timely and accurate production of budgetary and financial information for senior management, UNHCR¿s Budget Committee, Standing Committee, Executive Committee, and for other internal and external governance bodies and donors.
- Supervise running, analysis and reporting of regular revenue allocation mocks during year and at year end, including follow up with DER as needed, escalating funding gaps identified and recommending remedial action as appropriate.
- Ensure PBS budget and reporting processes are automated and streamlined to the fullest extent possible.
- Develop and prepare management reports, including projections, variance and trend analysis on budgets, income restrictions, commitment control budgets and expenditure.
- Ensure that inputs for UNHCR¿s Global Appeal, the mid-year report, the Global Report and other official documents are prepared as required, in time and accurately.
- Ensure the development of comprehensive budgetary, administrative and operational procedures, policies, standards and guidelines, including the continued integration of Results Based Management (RBM) and Results Based Budgeting (RBB) principles into UNHCR programmes.
- Support the provision of functional direction on IPSAS standards in relation to budgeting.
- Ensure budget reporting requirements are automated.
- Support the monitoring of implementation of budgetary policy objectives.
- Coordinate and participate in developing system-wide budget reporting standards.
- Ensure that UN Regular Budget submissions and reports are prepared in a timely manner.
- Ensure the maintenance of MSRP chart fields, modules, etc., and provide MSRP functional support.
- Monitor and supervise the work of subordinate staff.
- Any other responsibilities deemed necessary or as delegated by the Head of PBS.

Authority
- Submit the biennial budget document and revised budget document for review and finalization to Head of PBS.
- Identify and propose opportunities for reallocation of resources.
- Act as the audit focal point for the Service.
- Enforce the proper use of UNHCR budgetary chart fields and amend as necessary.
- Submit monthly expenditure figures to the Office of the Programme Planning Budget and Accounts (OPPBA) in New York.
- Certify the reallocation figures at year-end in consultation with accounting colleagues.
- Finalize the Programme Budget Second Performance Report for submission to (OPPBA) New York.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Systems Analysis or Management.
- Minimum of 15 years in budget analysis, cost accounting, financial reporting and/or controlling.
- Experience in Results-Based Budgeting.
- Experience in preparation of qualitative and quantitative analysis of budgetary performance.
- Experience in the production of quantitative analysis with graphics and charts.
- Experience in designing budgetary performance reports for senior management and for external audiences. 
- Experience in cost accounting, including calculation and adjustment of standard costs.
- Experience in financial data management and information products.
- Experience in designing and implementing comprehensive change management plans.
- Good knowledge of programme management with specific focus on procedures and processes, resource allocation and budgeting within a limited resource environment in an international organization, preferably within the UN system.
- Solid foundations of budgeting and cost accounting principles, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or IPSAS and budgetary variance analysis.
- Excellent statistical and numerical analysis skills.
- High IT affinity: excellent computer skills and working knowledge of MS Office software and ERP systems and their related change management implementation. Advanced knowledge of Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. 
- Good communication and strong interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in English, with highly developed drafting and presentation skills.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Good knowledge of UN Financial Regulations and Rules, procedures and processes.
- Knowledge of Oracle/PeopleSoft financials modules.
- Exposure to UNHCR field operations.
- Exposure to UNHCR specific learning/training activities (i.e. UNHCR Management Learning Programme).
- Exposure to data science management.
- Working knowledge of French. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M002L4 - Managing Performance Level 4
M006L4 - Managing Resources Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
X003L4 - Technological Awareness Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X005L4 - Planning and Organizing Level 4 The Senior Budget Advisor reports to the Deputy Director  PBS.  The incumbent heads the Global Analysis and Reporting Unit of PBS and supervises 6 staff. The incumbent liaises within DFAM, other Divisions, Bureaux and throughout the Organization on improvement of budget management processes and global reporting issues, including on related systems development and maintenance.
The incumbent should have the below required qualifications and experience:
Advanced university degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Systems Analysis or Management.
Minimum of 15 years in budget analysis, cost accounting, financial reporting and/or controlling.
Experience in Results-Based Budgeting.
Experience in preparation of qualitative and quantitative analysis of budgetary performance.
Experience in the production of quantitative analysis with graphics and charts.
Experience in designing budgetary performance reports for senior management and for external audiences. 
Experience in cost accounting, including calculation and adjustment of standard costs.
Experience in financial data management and information products.
Experience in designing and implementing comprehensive change management plans.
Good knowledge of programme management with specific focus on procedures and processes, resource allocation and budgeting within a limited resource environment in an int. organization, preferably within the UN system.
Solid foundations of budgeting and cost accounting principles, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or IPSAS and budgetary variance analysis.
Excellent statistical and numerical analysis skills.
High IT affinity: excellent computer skills and working knowledge of MS Office software and ERP systems and their related change management implementation. Advanced knowledge of Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. 
Good communication and strong interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in English, with highly developed drafting and presentation skills. n/a n/a n/a Good knowledge of UN Financial Regulations and Rules, procedures and processes.
Knowledge of Oracle/PeopleSoft financials modules.
Exposure to UNHCR field operations.
Exposure to UNHCR specific learning/training activities (i.e. UNHCR Management Learning Programme).
Exposure to data science management.
Working knowledge of French.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add. 3 to March 2017 Compendium is Thursday, 3 August 2017 (midnight Geneva time).